. >>> other news, president obama and germany's leader facing some serious questions today on foreign policy flash points including the crisis in ukraine. the president just wrapped up a joint news conference with the german chancellor angela merkel. the u.s. is warning of tougher sanctions against russia over ukraine. the president saying the preference is a diplomatic solution but if that doesn't happen the next step is more sanctions. he says he understands the concerns of some european countries but he's confident the u.s. and the european union will stand together. >> the goal is not to punish russia. the goal is to give them an incentive to choose the better course. and that is to resolve these issues diplomatically. and i think we are united on that front. within europe, within the eu, i'm sure there has to be extensive consultations. you've got 28 countries and some are more vulnerable than others to potential russian retaliation. we have to take those into account. not every country is going to be in exactly the same place. what has been remarkable is the degree to which all